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Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement after President Trump proposed a 5 percent tariff on all Mexican goods: 

“As the President has yet again failed to understand—increasing tariffs means placing unnecessary taxes on the backs of American workers and small businesses. Furthermore, using tariffs to push this Administration’s anti-immigrant agenda is appalling and an abuse of the President’s power. 

“Our relationship with Mexico as a top trading partner is integral to the success of our economy and small businesses across sectors ranging from agriculture to technology. At a time when this Administration’s erratic trade policies have already left American small businesses reeling from uncertainty, provoking a new trade war with Mexico could put billions of additional dollars on the line, leaving American consumers and communities to bear the brunt of the consequences. 

“Last week, I invited small business owners who have been hurt from this Administration’s trade policies to share their stories outside the Capitol. As the White House continues to jeopardize the livelihoods of small businesses through their erratic decisions, the Committee will keep pushing back to protect Main Street.”

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